“I wasn’t being present and focused, specifically around the family, that’s where it was most impactful. And, when I looked at my fitness career, I was like, ‘man, the best workouts I get are when I’m against the clock,’ right? That’s really what CrossFit innovated in my opinion, was working out against the clock. Because for so many years we’d go around the gym, do a little bit of this, little bit of that, and it was fine. But as soon as you added the layer of a clock, it added a competitive spirit. So, I started taking that clock to everything I was doing, from doing this with you, to playing with my kids, to being with my wife at dinner. I’m being present, I’m boing focused, I’m working hard in this time frame that I set, and then I switch gears to the next focus. So maybe in the morning, it’s a workout: I’m focused. Then it’s time with the kids. Then it’s this, then it’s that. When I’m at work, be at work, when I’m home be at home. And for anybody who exercises, I just think it’s a really easy analogy for them to think about.” – Jason Khalipa

Jason Khalipa is a decorated CrossFit athlete, well-known for his 8 appearances at the CrossFit Games and multiple podium finishes, including the title of Fittest Man on Earth in 2008. For 7 years, Jason competed as an individual, and in 2015 he shifted his focus to team competition in order to spend more time with his family.

2016 brought even bigger changes for Jason, when his daughter, Ava, was diagnosed with leukemia at the age of four. Together with his wife Ashley, his son Kaden, and their extended family, Jason turned his focus to helping his daughter regain her health, applying many of the lessons he had learned as a CrossFit Games competitor.

Today Ava is cancer-free, and Jason continues to work to find balance in the time spent on his training, his business, and his family. He uses an “AMRAP Mentality” approach, in which he strives to focus solely on the task at hand for a given period of time in order to be fully present and bring his best self to the table.

I had the opportunity to sit down with Jason at his home in California to chat about how his experiences as a competitive athlete, father, and entrepreneur have helped him develop a balanced mindset that empowers him to be the be as successful as possible in all arenas of life.

In this episode we discuss:

The changes in the way Jason is allocating his time now that he’s not training for the CrossFit Games

The transition from training for the Games to where he is now: how Jason knew it was time to move on

Lessons he learned through competing that have carried over into daily life

What it was like to process and overcome his daughter Ava’s leukemia diagnosis, and how that challenge changed him

Ways the healthcare system could better support families dealing with serious illnesses

The importance of building a hedge against adversity through fitness, relationships and finances

Jason’s advice to others on how they can support friends going through difficult times

The origin of the AMRAP Mentality

How he handles distractions and brings himself back to focusing on the task at hand

How Jason determines his “why” and uses that to set his daily agenda

Factors that have helped him to build a successful business

A typical day for Jason

Three things Jason does on a regular basis that have the biggest positive impact on his health

One thing he struggles to implement that could have a big impact on his health

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Disclaimer: This podcast is meant to share the experiences of various individuals. It does not provide medical advice, and it is not a substitute for advice from your physician or health care professional.